Discussion

East Cost CH needs greatest hits, only-in-LA Recs

I have just a week to visit, and will be staying with friends in Silver Lake, then West Hollywood. Will probably hit up Venice and Malibu, and have to spend some time near UCLA.

I would love to hear recs of yummy, only-in-LA places. I would do the research myself on CH, but unfortunately given the various neighborhoods we are visiting, I don't have much time to do so.

A few parameters:- the significant other has already rejected Pinks as a destination- we already know about Kogi and will definitely be hitting that up- ethnic is a plus, not a problem! Love Mexican, South American, Central American, Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean (sig-o not a Japanese food fan)- prefer hole-in-the-wall finds and good values to hot scenes and atmosphere (though would love to hear of place that combines both)- not interested in "New American", organic, local -- we have that here in Boston, and while it's all good, I want authentic can-only-get-in-LA recs.- would also love to hear about consistent, unsung heroes ... places that may not knock your socks off but are reliably tasty and trusted by a consensus on this board.

If the OP has no access to great Peruvian, I'd hit up that category. Mo Chica, Kotosh at Kamiyama and Puro Sabor.

For Chinese in the general area, that would be like asking where's the good chowdah in New England. You will be blown away by the breadth and depth of Chinese cuisines and specialties here but if I had to create a real short list for someone visiting, it would be:

Dim sum: Sea Harbour or Elite for menu-driven, 888 for carts.

Xiao long bao: Mei Long Village or J&J/Jin Jian; Din Tai Fung if it's your first time trying these.

Dumplings/noodles: JTYH or Luscious Dumplings

Taiwanese Breakfast: Yung Ho or Yung Ho King Tou Chiang

If you're Mandarin/Cantonese-challenged, you could still do each category but "Taiwanese Breakfast" might be tougher. The easiest would definitely be dim sum.

Don't short-change yourself or your SO on Japanese. There are quite a few reputable places in most categories of this cuisine. For someone who is timid or blah on Japanese, I challenge them not to like Torihei, Izakaya Bincho or Musha. The permalink function shows Musha in Santa Monica, which it is, but the bigger (and probably better) location is in Torrance, right across the parking lot from Torihei.

I agree with bulavinaka's suggestion to not overlook Japanese...in my experience, most East Coasters equate Japanese with sushi (I know I did when I lived there), but L.A. is blessed with a dynamic Japanese dining scene that goes far beyond sushi. It seems like you won't make it down to bulavinaka's Torrance recs, but you may want to consider her suggestion of Musha's Santa Monica location (near Venice where you say you'll visit). You also may want to consider visiting some of the Japanese restaurants on Sawtelle Blvd, which is close to UCLA. There are lots of interesting restaurants in the area, but I think you'd really like Orris, which is Japanese-French fusion small plates. For hole-in-the wall Oaxacan Mexican near UCLA, check out Monte Alban. Mariscos Chente is a board favorite for Mexican seafood (although I still haven't been there myself). Animal is another board favorite that is not ethnic but is only-in-L.A.: meat-centric, high-end comfort food. Unfortunately, many of L.A.'s authentic ethnic hole-in-the wall places, as per your request, are not located near the areas you will be in.

How much driving around are you willing/able to do? This will have implications in your quest for Chinese and Taiwanese--all East side based. Where you are staying you should have access to good Mexican, Thai, Korean, and Peruvian (as mentioned) all kinds of burgers (if interested), lots of trucks. What say you? What's the budget?You will not find any scrod, Indian pudding, etc.

Thank you for the link. That was very helpful. As for driving, I am somewhat limited in that the husband is less willing to make a long drive specifically for a specific food item. So the recs nearer to where we are staying are more helpful. As for budget, I love cheap finds but will drop $50-70 (without drinks) on a meal if it's a tremendous, satisfying meal.

If you've been here before, you know that having a smooth drive depends on the time, the area and a little luck. WeHo driving sucks. Everywhere else is a crap shoot. If you're planning on an easy egress/ingress for the San Gabriel Valley, I'd do it from Silverlake during the week mid-morning. It's also a good place to plan a trip to Koreatown from. Mario's is another Peruvian place you could hit up from either Silverlake or WeHo, as is Thai Town.

If you're staying in Silver Lake, you must try Cliff's Edge. I haven't been personally, since I live on the other side of town, and RARELY get over to that side, but it is supposed to be beautiful and all around lovely.

With only a week's stay, I would skip the recs that take you down to Torrance, Lomita & Redondo beach, you will sit in traffic more than anything else. Most likely not worth it.

Also Jitlada is the BEST Thai in town. Period. Strip mall locale in Hollywood, so it definitely fills your hole in the wall criterion.

These are largely good suggestions, but some of them are out our your geographical range. But I would nix Chinois on Main. I recently went to Chinois for the first time and was decidedly underwhelmed...I think there are a lot of better places at that price point. Also, the decor brings down the food a notch...think 80's miami, and also imagine that it has not been renovated since the 80's. Dirty, chipping paint meets a $40 entree restaurant in the most unusual way.

Lare's, IMHO, is really terrible tasting to me lately, almost inedible. I don't kinow if I have learned more about truly good Mexican food or they never rebounded from the fire (both I guess) but it just ain't the same.